A top Republican lawmaker in Colorado is facing potential disciplinary action for sexual harassment after an outside investigation deemed a complaint credible.

State Sen. Randy Baumgardner, the former majority whip, allegedly slapped and grabbed the buttocks of a legislative aide about four times during the 2016 legislative session inside the Capitol building during work hours, according to a complaint.

A Senate staff member told the anonymous complainant Tuesday that “the evidence suggests there should be a consequence,” according to public radio station KUNC, which also first reported the allegations in November. The Denver Post independently confirmed the results of the investigation, which is the first known case involving complaints filed in recent months to move forward.

Baumgardner, a committee chairman who is sponsoring the top Republican priority this session, a transportation bill, declined to comment Thursday. When approached, he told The Post he would "talk in a bit," but the Hot Sulphur Springs lawmaker later said he was too busy to answer questions.

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Senate Majority Leader Chris Holbert, who met with Baumgardner before the start of the day's legislative session, said he could not comment on the status of the investigation or possible disciplinary action because he believes the workplace harassment policy makes him “bound by confidentiality.”

The protocol puts disciplinary action in the hands of the leadership of the respective body but does not outline potential punishments, unlike the policy for legislative employees. The ambiguity is one of the reasons that General Assembly leaders ordered a review of the policy after complaints were made against four state lawmakers.

Another complaint against Rep. Paul Rosenthal, D-Denver, was recently dismissed by House Speaker Crisanta Duran, D-Denver, because the alleged incident took place while he was a candidate and not an elected member.

A second legislative staffer who came forward in November to alleged inappropriate comments and behavior by Baumgardner declined to file a formal complaint.

In the current review, Senate President Kevin Grantham, Holbert and Democratic leader Lucia Guzman are considering what, if any, disciplinary action to take under a provision in the rules that gives them broad discretion.

The three lawmakers could decide - by a majority vote - on whether the complaint merits a separate ethics investigation because it violated the Senate rules.

If approved, the chamber's Republican and Democratic leaders would appoint a committee to review the complaint and decide whether to move forward with a process that could end with a reprimand, censure or expulsion.

Guzman declined to comment on the specifics of the situation, but in an interview she called for a quick resolution. “If there is reason to show this situation merits disciplinary action, I urge that the decision be done quickly and efficiently,” the Denver lawmaker said.